11 April festivals (in St. Augustine and St. Johns County)

The 2011 EPIC Flower & Garden Expo. The 2013 event is set for April 20-21. By FRED WHITLEY, fred.whitley@staugustine.com

PONCE DE LEON FIESTA & LANDING

April 3: April 3, 2013 marks the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de León. Five hundred years ago, Ponce de León was on a mission of exploration. To commemorate, St. Augustine will be abuzz with daylong activities hosted by the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration. The below events are free and open to the public. The event will begin at 9 a.m. April 3 with a re-enacted commemorative landing of Ponce de León and his crew at the St. Augustine bay front on the north side of the Bridge of Lions. The landing will feature the firing of cannons from the Castillo de San Marcos. At 10 a.m., the event will transition to the Ponce de León statue located just east of the Plaza de la Constitución. A ceremonial wreath will be placed on the statue. Speeches will be given by City of St. Augustine Mayor Joseph Boles and Santervás Mayor Santiago Baeza Benavides. Santervás, Spain is Ponce de León’s birthplace. A blessing will be given by Bishop Felipe Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine. At 12:30 p.m., the United States Postal Service will unveil the La Florida commemorative stamp at the Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St. Spanish dignitaries and State of Florida representatives will attend the unveiling.

RHYTHM & RIBS FESTIVAL

April 5-7: JJ Grey and Mofro will once again headline the 18th annual Rhythm & Ribs Festival, a three-day event held at Francis Field, 29 W. Castillo Drive. Other bands include the Lee Boys, The Corbitt Brothers Band, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, Swamp Cabbage, The Yankee Slickers and more. The event also will feature award winning barbeque from regional and national BBQ champions, arts and crafts vendors, and other activities. Sponsored by the St. Augustine Sunrise Rotary Club, all proceeds are donated to charitable organizations for local and international service oriented projects.Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. April 4; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 6; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 7. Admission is $2 per person daily, with a $5 admission charge after 3 p.m. April 6 for the evening concerts. Go to rhythmandribs.net for the complete schedule.

PONCE DE LEON CELEBRATION

April 6-7: The historic Ponce de León Celebration is being revived, just in time for St. Augustine to celebrate Florida’s 500th anniversary. As part of St. Augustine’s 450th and Florida’s 500th anniversary celebrations, the Historic Florida Militia will presenting the Ponce de León Celebration, La Fiesta de la Florida. The new celebration will include an official landing re-enactment and a ceremony honoring Ponce at his statue east of the Plaza de la Constitución. Concerts and other performances from Hispanic and historical performers, tall ships, historic military and equestrian demonstrations, and other entertainment will be available at venues throughout the historic district. Re-enactors from all of Florida’s historical periods will celebrate the last 500 years of Florida’s history. St. Augustine’s original Ponce de León celebrations were great city-wide fiestas that began in 1883 and inspired Henry Flagler to build his first grand hotel here. The free event will be for all ages. Go to www.facebook.com/PonceDeLeonCelebration, email stuartgamsey1@yahoo.com, navarra1565@yahoo.com, or laprensacosme@comcast.net.

DON’S FRIENDS 5K AND FUN FEST

April 12-13: A 5K run, stand-up paddleboard race, music, vendors and other events will benefit Don’s Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to encouraging college students to choose an alternative break and help others less fortunate. In January 2009, St. Augustine residents Renee and Jim Wauldron lost their young son Don, age 22, was young man who dedicated his time helping others in need. From noon to 9 p.m. April 12, there will be activities for all ages at the St. Augustine Beach pier and pavilion, 350 A1A Beach Blvd. More than 30 vendors will feature food, rides for children, beverages, health and business information, and merchandise. There also will be a beer/wine tent for adults. A disco party with Sound Sensations DJ will be from 5 to 9 p.m. April 12. The 5K will begin at 8:30 p.m. April 13, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. The paddleboard race with begin at 11:30 a.m. Awards ceremonies will follow each race. Live music by Penguin Teeth will be from noon to 3 p.m. Festival admission and spectator admission is free. To register for races, go to www.DonsFriend.com oir call 904-687-5951.

VELO FEST

April 12-14: This second annual bicycle awareness event will take place on a course through the Nation’s Oldest City. The purpose is to educate the cycling community and community at large about the historical significance of cycling. Wht event will feature professional cyclists racing through the streets of St. Augustine, live music, food and a bike parade open to cyclists of all ages. Go to www.velofest.org.

FIRST COAST FRESH FARM STROLL

April 14: A new farm tour will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 14 in eight area farms, organized by First Coast Fresh: A Growers Cooperative. The First Coast Fresh Farm Stroll will offer farm tours, and products will be available for purchase. The eight locations on the farm stroll are KYV Farms, Barnes Farms, Blue Sky Farms, IFAS — Hastings, County Line, Log Cabin Winery, St. Johns Oaks Vineyard and BlueBerry Hill U-Pick. In addition to the tours, there will be artists paired at each stop displaying their works as well as signature pieces available for a silent auction that will benefit Art Breakers (www.artbreakers.org), a local cancer charity. Local chefs also will serve dishes prepared with products grown at each farm, which will be offered to tour guests at no charge. The First Coast Fresh Farm Stroll is a free event. Go to www.firstcoastfresh.com for details.

FLORIDA’S BIRDING & PHOTO FEST

April 18-21: Experience northeast Florida’s abundant bird life and natural beauty at more than 110 exciting birding and outdoor photography events during the 2013 Florida’s Birding & Photo Fest. In addition to the nature tours and excursions, new discoveries for this year’s event include workshops on photographing birds in flight, selections and layer masking, flash techniques and many in-field photography workshops. The festival is headquartered at the GTM Research Reserve, 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach. The event also will feature bird walks, and boat and kayak trips. Go to floridasbirdingandphotofest.com.

FLOWER & GARDEN EXPO

April 20-21: The 18th Annual Flower & Garden Expo will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20 (and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21) at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive. Growers, nurseries and vendors from around Florida will offer a variety of flowering plants and gardening accessories. Gardening lectures will be available throughout the day. In addition, a standard flower show and a quilt show will be held. Tickets are $5 per person, and admission is good for both days (children under 12 will be admitted free). Free parking. Call 904-829-3295 or go to www.epicbh.org.

EARTH DAY AT WASHINGTON OAKS

April 20-21: Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and The Friends of Washington Oaks will hold the 24th Earth Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the park, 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., in Palm Coast. This two-day event will include live entertainment, living history re-enactors, environmental groups and arts and crafts. A variety of food will be available, highlighted by a Friend’s Bake Sale. A plant sale of Florida varieties from the greenhouse also will be part of the event, with Master Gardeners available to answer questions. Admission is $10 per car. Go to www.washingtonoaks.org or call 386-446-6780.

A TASTE OF ST. AUGUSTINE

April 27: The 17th Annual A Taste of St. Augustine will be from noon to 8p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South. More than 25 St. Augustine restaurants will offer samples of signature dishes. In addition, a live music festival will be ongoing throughout the day on the Amphitheatre stage. Admission is $5 per person. Taste tickets are $1 each, with restaurants charging between 1 to 5 tickets for samples. Call 904-829-3295 or go to www.epicbh.org.

RACE TO THE TASTE 5K RUN/WALK

April 27: The 4th Annual Race to the Taste 5K Run/Walk will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, 1340 A1A South. Runners will complete a scenic 3.1-mile road race through Anastasia State Park, nearby neighborhoods and finish during the A Taste of St. Augustine inside the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Participants will get two free tickets to A Taste of St. Augustine. Call 904-829-3295 or go to www.racetothetaste.org.

SEA TURTLE FESTIVAL 2013

May 19: The 7th annual Sea Turtle Festival will be from noon to 5 p.m. at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez. Local non-profit Keepers of the Coast will celebrate one of St. Augustine’s most fascinating creatures during the event. Interactive and educational activities will be available for all ages. Eco-oriented vendors will offer hand-crafted merchandise such as sea turtle carvings, recycled art, nature inspired clothing and more. Face painting and children’s games keep children entertained while great live music will amuse adults. Adult beverages and food will be available for purchase. The goal of the Sea Turtle Festival is to educate people about the presence of sea turtles and create a sentiment that inspires conservation action for the survival of threatened and endangered marine wildlife. Admission is free. Go to www.keepersofthecoast.org for more details.